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Seashore Expands Lighthouse Climbing Season, Reservations

HARKERS ISLAND, NC- In an effort to improve service and to address suggestions made by park visitors, Cape Lookout National Seashore has announced the following changes to the reservation system and fees for the Cape Lookout Lighthouse self-guided climbing tours."The seashore continues to see strong demand for climbing the lighthouse, "noted Superintendent Kenney, "we hope these changes will make the experience accessible to more people."

As with any seashore program, the National Park Service invites the public to comment on how the Seashore services might be improved.

1. To Facilitate Group Visits To The Lighthouse, The Seashore Will No Longer Limit The Number Of Tickets That Can Be Reserved By One Caller. A $1.00 Per Ticket Convenience Fee Will Be Charged For Reservations.

In order to prevent large numbers of tickets from being reserved and not utilized, and to help pay for the cost of operating the reservation program, a non-refundable convenience fee of $1.00 per ticket will be charged to make a reservation. Only the convenience fee (payable by credit card) will be required at the time the reservation is made.

Reservations will continue to be taken by phone at 252-728-0708.

Reservation hours will be expanded from four days to five days per week -- and will be Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, starting on May 14, 2012. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance and are available for climbs during the same week.

This year, lighthouse climbing will be expanded from three to four days per week - and will be Wednesdays through Saturdays, from May 16, 2012, until September 22, 2012. In addition, climbing will be offered on Sundays of holiday weekends.

Tickets will still be purchased at the Light Station Visitor Center. Ticket prices will remain the same: $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children, 12 and under, for seniors 62 and over, and for those with permanent disabilities. Children must be at least 44 inches tall to go up the lighthouse.

2. To Facilitate School Group Visits To The Lighthouse, The Seashore Now Allow School Group Reservations During The Spring Prior To The Climbing Season.

Starting in 2012, school groups-public, private, or home school-can make reservations for any date in the climbing season. Schools may make reservations on Tuesdays, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM,

From February 15, until May 14, 2012, and beginning on May 14, during the regular hours for summer reservations. Schools will not be required to pay the convenience fee for reservations. Schools may apply to waive the climbing fee for selected students and some chaperones. School groups that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver must pay for their tickets at least 2 weeks prior to their climb date. For information on Academic Fee Waiver requirements, visit https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/academicfeewaiver.htm.

3. To Manage Requests For Off-Season Access To The Lighthouse, The Seashore Will Accept Applications For Special-Event, Off-Season Climbs.

These climbs may be approved, if staff are available to manage the request. To recover the cost of off-season climbs, there will be a 10-person minimum fee, plus a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you wish to comment on these proposed changes, you may submit your comments by any one of several methods: you may mail or hand-deliver written comments to Superintendent, Cape Lookout

Our practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home address, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, then you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations, businesses, or individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available for public inspection in their entirety.

We appreciate your interest in the management of Cape Lookouts National Seashore.